When readying your home for a clear-out or refurbishment, you will probably dispose of unwanted items by hiring a skip and placing it on the kerb. Chances are you’ll need a permit to place the skip in front of your property – if that’s the case, then the skip hire company should walk you through applying for one. It is a hassle-free solution if you don’t have time to sort out all this paperwork.
Here’s all you need to know about skip hire permits in the UK.
Why You Need a Skip Hire Permit in the UK
Anybody who wants to hire a skip in the UK and wishes to place it on public land must comply with section 139 of the Highways Act 1980. To do so, they must have a skip hire permit from the local authority responsible for the location where the skip is being delivered.
Compliance with this act ensures that skips don’t harm other road users or restrict access to emergency vehicles. Besides carrying the permit, skips may also require reflective markings, safety lights, traffic cones, and contact details for the skip hire company.
Is a Skip Hire Permit Always Required?
If you have a driveway or land on your property that isn’t used by anyone else, you may be able to keep the portable container without needing a permit. Also, if your property is on a road the government does not maintain, you may be exempt from needing a permit.
However, it’s best to get in touch with your local authority or skip hire company before you decide whether or not you need a permit; if you need one, you’ll avoid any penalties down the road.
Are Skip Hire Permits the Same Over the Whole of the UK?
In most local areas, the process of acquiring a skip hire permit remains the same. However, there are some differences in areas with local traffic laws or restrictions. It may even be necessary to call a skip hire company that offers skip permit services.
Make sure that you check whether or not your local area requires a permit to hire a skip before hiring one. You could face serious fines if you hire a skip without a permit.
How Much Does a Skip Hire Permit Cost?
Skip hire permits cost a certain amount of money, which depends on the size and type of skip and its location. In London, skip hire permits cost over £100, although the fees for other parts of the country can be significantly lower. If you need to apply for a permit, the cost of the skip hire permit will be added to the overall price of hiring a skip.
How to Get a Skip Hire Permit in the UK
This process depends on the type of skip you wish to hire and may vary depending on local terms and conditions. If you’re in an area that doesn’t require a permit, skip hire companies will let you know.
While some skip hire companies offer skip hire permit services, many prefer to handle the permit and paperwork themselves. This is because they already know where to place the skip without causing a danger to road users—this is often more convenient for them. If you don’t want to be bothered with the permit application, you can just tell the skip hire company your contact details and the skip’s delivery location and let them handle the permit process.
If you want to go this route, make sure you find a skip hire company that can provide you with all the essential paperwork, including a copy of the permit, compliance documentation and any other certificates that might be needed.
The process for applying for one is similar for all areas in the UK. Here are the basics:
- Complete an application form.
- Pay a fee for the permit.
- Submit the application to the local authority.
- Keep hold of your receipt as proof that you have paid.
If you doubt whether you will need to apply for a permit or want to learn more about getting one, make sure to contact your local authority before you go ahead with skip hire.
How Long to Get a Skip Hire Permit?
Applying for a skip hire permit usually takes around five working days, but it can sometimes take longer, especially if it’s your first time applying for one and you haven’t found out how the process works.
If you don’t submit your application in good time, you may find yourself without a permit and unable to hire a skip by the time the skip is due to be delivered. You are less likely to have problems with skip hire if you apply well in advance, in the rare case that your local authority deems it necessary to decline your application.
There’s usually one reason for this: space. There are various restrictions that containers larger than eight yards must adhere to (the maximum container size that local road authorities typically allow to be placed on a public road).
It’s also possible that several other containers are blocking the space around your allocated spot, especially if there is a big seasonal event or a popular local activity (like a sporting match) going on at the time. This is particularly likely during the spring/summer or a popular local event.
How Long Does a Skip Permit Last?
Local authorities will most likely have a standard period for which a permit lasts, although this is not always the case. Sometimes, you may be asked to remove the skip before the period expires.
If you cannot do this or don’t want to, you may have to pay an additional fee. You may even breach a local bylaw and be fined if you don’t comply.
Ultimately, it’s best to check how long the skip hire permit is valid and when it expires. If you’re not going to be done with your project by the expiration date, it is worth discussing when you will be able to remove the skip with your local authority.
Conclusion
Skip hire permits are a legal requirement that anyone who wants to hire a skip must obtain. Having a permit is essential if you want to avoid getting in trouble with the local authorities. It’s usually best to let the skip hire company handle the permit acquisition process, as they’re accustomed to working with the local authorities and can obtain permits more easily.
Enviro Skip Hire is your go-to waste management, skip hire and aggregates service for quick and convenient waste disposal in Congleton and the surrounding areas. We want to make hiring a skip easier for all our customers, from business use to personal hire. We can help you with permits and choosing the right skip in any size. If you need skip hire services in Cheshire, we’ve got you covered! Get in touch with us now and let us know how we can help!
